Is This the Real Reason Hoda Kotb Is Leaving ‘Today’ Show & Will Savannah Guthrie Quit Too?
Hoda Kotb surprised viewers when she announced on September 26 that she would be stepping away from NBC’s Today at the end of 2024 to spend more time with her two young daughters.
However, according to a report from Puck News, Kotb’s decision to leave the long-running morning show wasn’t just for family reasons. The outlet reports that Kotb’s choice to step down as co-anchor was in part due to the network asking her to take a pay cut.
According to Puck, Kotb earns more than $20 million a year, a salary the network executives told her couldn’t be justified anymore due to the current landscape of broadcast television.
“NBC executives loved Hoda and knew her value to the brand, but also made clear to her agents that such stratospheric contracts were no longer justifiable given the industry’s inexorable decline, due in part to the steep ratings decline affecting Today and competitors like Good Morning America,” Puck reported.
Kotb revealed her decision to leave live on air on Thursday, saying, “I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 years old, because I started thinking about that decade like, what does that decade mean? What does it hold? What’s it going to have for me? And I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new.”
She continued, “I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of the time pie that I have. I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.”
Kotb is the mother of two girls she adopted with her ex, Joel Schiffman. Haley was born on February 14, 2017, and Hope arrived in 2019, with Kotb present at her birth.
Nathan Congleton/NBC
With Kotb set to leave at the end of 2024, fans are wondering if her long-time co-host Savannah Guthrie could be next. According to The Daily Mail, sources reveal that NBC is keen to ensure that Guthrie stays with the show. Savannah reportedly earns $8 million a year from NBC, considerably less than Hoda.
“Savannah’s contract is coming up next year and they want to keep her and will be doing anything they can to continue their relationship with Savannah as a means of not overhauling everything,” the source explained.
The source added, “‘[Kotb’s] replacement will be from people who are already there rather than paying an outsider tons of money to sit with Savannah.”
“Craig Melvin and Laura Jarrett are both on top of the list to be the heir apparent at this time,’ the source continued. “NBC is looking to place one of them in Hoda’s position, whomever the audience gravitates to more will be the most likely replacement.”
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G
I think what television and sports, and other "celebrities" are paid--they are overpaid at $20million and $8 million.
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L
Definitely. In comparison Social security beneficiaries are getting a whopping 2.3% before deductions, this year.
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R
I wish Jenna would leave. She'll be nothing without Hoda, who keeps her grounded. She tends to ramble about nothing and CANNOT stand to lose whenever they play a game. Its disgusting. Her face actually gets mean.
On the show today, Dec. 3rd, she yelled out loud to Hoda, implying that she cheated. It was very unprofessional. Does no one see this? She doesn't need the money. Get rid of her!
18 1
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D
I like Craig Melvin, but he doesn't hold a candle to Hoda. She was vivacious, entertaining and joyous. I've watched the Today Show for 25 years, but I just don't feel the same about the show now that Hoda is gone.
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R
We can't be that lucky.. !!
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O
I LOVE HODA!! She seriously deserves to be there but, GOOD LUCK TO YOU HODA!!:)
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R
Yes. Just think about it! NO ONE is worth $8 million a year!!! It’s no wonder you have to sit through 15 commercials every five minutes! Tall they do is read a freakin teleprompter!
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G
If only ABC could cut “the Sty”, I mean “the View’s” cackling hens salaries to $1 and they would all quit 😂
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G
As much as I love Hoda, I can understand how everyone must cut costs. I wish her the best.
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O
Yes craig Melvin always sounds like he has shit in his mouth. I can not understand what he is saying. Not a good pick.Im sure other people feel the same way
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O
I’ll miss you Hoda. The show is not the
Same now. Good luck!!!🤗
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B
Hoda with her wonderful personality and big smile will be greatly missed. For the love of my eyes and ear drums though, don't replace her slot with Craig Melvin. I can miss a beat sometimes but his space cadet weirdness is cringe-worthy. I already have a hard time watching the show with him on. Best of luck to Hoda, enjoy the time with your girls. I know they'll appreciate it. -T.
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L
I wish her well, but I have really no interest in knowing why she's leaving, if she's leaving because of family that's fine. If she's leaving for some other reason so.what. I don't understand why it's necessary to know every move that a celebrity makes and why.
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B
Whenever people speak of ideas that might benefit those other than themselves, you phony “conservatives “ label them “woke “ . You’re truly contemptible.
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P
I’m right there with you. I thought Jenna was great at first. I never cared much for Kathy Lee. She was annoying and talked too much about being a Christian while guzzling wine or champagne first thing in the morning. Jenna was okay, til she wasn’t. A bit too loud and silly. I’m not here target audience. I miss the audience makeovers where they go out and pick a person, bring them in and make changes. Just me, but Jenna needs someone to balance her out. I liked Dwayne Wade. He was a grown-up, well spoken and pleasant. I would choose him as a co-host.
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B
I don’t care for Jenna Bush Hager at all! She should be replaced! I don’t watch third hour anymore since Hoda left and turn channel if Jenna is doing a segment on Today. All are good except for Jenna!
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O
I totally agree!
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O
I thought Hoda left because she wanted to, not for being asked to leave or fired?
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O
I can't stand Jena. I think she's a spoiled little brat and only got her job because her dad was president.
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C
Mainstream media is dead with their woke platforms, people have been tuning out as they realize they have been lying to us for decades. The money is drying up as people seek other platforms for the truth .
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G
She looks so much like Kamala. That's definitely news worthy.
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O
Send that RINO woman back to Daddy.